Chapter 237: I Just Made a Small Contribution to the Sect

Jade Cauldron Sect, Second Peak.

Ye Yan sat cross-legged in quiet cultivation at the loft atop the peak.

But no matter how hard he tried, his mind couldn’t calm down.

Each time he closed his eyes, the face of that person surfaced in his thoughts.

Tap, tap.

Familiar footsteps echoed nearby.

Ye Yan opened his eyes.

A tall elderly man stood before him.

The two sat across from each other, locking gazes.

This man was none other than Yang Qiye.

Yang Qiye sighed softly. “Your heart is unsettled. No matter how much you cultivate, you won’t be able to reach the right state.”

Ye Yan remained silent.

For decades, his cultivation had been smooth, overcoming obstacles with ease.

Life had been a series of victories for him.

No opponent had ever been able to trouble him for long.

But now, he had met such a person.

This person had stirred ripples in the tranquil lake of his heart.

And those ripples refused to subside.

If this continued, it would inevitably create a mental demon within him.

“I must surpass him. Otherwise, my state of mind will never stabilize, and my cultivation speed will suffer,” Ye Yan thought.

He raised his head, meeting Yang Qiye’s eyes with determination.

Yang Qiye nodded approvingly. “Good. I see no sign of defeat in your eyes, only a burning fighting spirit.”

“That’s the Ye Yan I know, my disciple!”

With that, he retrieved a piece of paper from his storage ring and handed it to Ye Yan.

Ye Yan was momentarily surprised as he accepted it. “This is…?”

Yang Qiye smiled. “It’s intelligence I purchased at great cost from the Prefectural Governor’s office.”

“Years ago, our sect’s founder mated the ancient flood dragon with a heavy-water python.”

“The heavy-water python isn’t particularly remarkable, but its body is extraordinarily tough and capable of regenerating its tail.”

“In recent attempts at breeding, none of the selected snakes or pythons could endure the flood dragon’s strength.”

“You’ve searched far and wide for rare beasts, but they still couldn’t help the flood dragon reproduce.”

“I believe the issue lies not with the flood dragon, but with the partner.”

“If we can find another heavy-water python, we might be able to help the flood dragon reproduce.”

Ye Yan quickly understood. “This paper contains information on a heavy-water python?”

“Exactly!” Yang Qiye’s smile deepened.

“This is a heavy-water python discovered by the Prefectural Governor’s office, and no one else knows about it yet.”

“If you can capture it and bring it back for the flood dragon, aiding its reproduction, your reputation in the sect will soar.”

“Even Li Zhendao would think twice before saying anything that might offend the flood dragon!”

Ye Yan’s expression remained calm, but waves of emotion surged within him.

Yang Qiye was right.

If he completed this mission, even as a Nascent Soul-stage cultivator and a mere Second Peak elder, he would earn the flood dragon’s friendship.

That friendship was priceless.

What was a mere Shen Mo offering 700 jin of Scarlet Blood Spirit Grain compared to him helping the flood dragon reproduce?

Ye Yan said resolutely, “Alright, I’ll go now! I’ll ensure the heavy-water python is returned unharmed!”

“Go. I await your good news,” Yang Qiye said with a smile.

…

Dragon Snake Mountain.

After six months away, the mountain was still as picturesque as ever.

Shen Mo landed lightly near a house halfway up the mountain.

Huang Caiying was roasting meat. Seeing him, she ran over joyfully.

“Elder! Elder, you’re back!”

“This is the lamb leg I roasted. Try it—does it taste good?”

Mei Haihe and Huang Bayi arrived with a group of stewards in tow.

Shen Mo noticed there were over a dozen more stewards than there had been six months ago.

Among them, some bore looks of unease.

Taking the roasted lamb leg Huang Caiying handed him, Shen Mo took a bite and nodded slightly.

With a smile, he patted the girl’s head. “Not bad. Your cooking has improved greatly since six months ago.”

Huang Caiying beamed with a grin so wide it was as if Shen Mo’s praise was the most significant thing in the world.

“Go ahead and keep playing. Roast it a bit more, I’m waiting to enjoy it,” Shen Mo said with a smile.

“Understood, Elder!” Huang Caiying’s little face turned serious, treating his words as a formal command.

After Huang Caiying left, Shen Mo’s expression grew calm. “In the six months I’ve been away, it seems some things have happened on Dragon Snake Mountain.”

Mei Haihe immediately stepped forward to report. “Elder, after you left for Bloodvine Valley, the First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder, Sixth Elder, and Seventh Elder all recommended stewards to Dragon Snake Mountain.”

“There are now twelve more than when you left.”

“Old Huang and I dared not disobey their orders, so we temporarily allowed them to stay here.”

“They’ve behaved themselves during this time and caused no trouble.”

Shen Mo’s gaze swept over the stewards, his expression carrying a faint smile.

“Recommended stewards?”

More like spies, planted to pry into the secrets of Dragon Snake Mountain.

For nearly three centuries, the mountain had been running at a loss. Yet, under his management, it not only became profitable but exceeded the sect’s requirements by over tenfold.

Such a transformation would naturally arouse curiosity.

Shen Mo’s gaze settled on the most nervous among them. “Why do you look so uneasy? Are you afraid of me?”

The group exchanged glances nervously before one brave steward stepped forward, lowering his head respectfully.

“Elder Shen, I serve under the Third Elder. I’m not afraid—only uneasy because I made a mistake. I’ve just been ordered to return to the Third Peak.”

As soon as he finished, two more stewards stood up.

“Yes, yes! We also made mistakes. When feeding the Feiyun beast, we forgot to dry its food. We’ve already reported to the sect and will leave Dragon Snake Mountain this afternoon.”

Shen Mo raised an eyebrow. “Anyone else planning to leave?”

Shh-shh-shh.

Six more stood up.

Some claimed they were resigning due to errors, while others cited transfer orders sending them to other sect properties.

In short, the moment Shen Mo returned, they all conveniently decided to leave Dragon Snake Mountain.

“Very well, then. I won’t see you off,” Shen Mo said nonchalantly.

“Yes, Elder. We’ll take our leave immediately.”

Not daring to linger or argue, the stewards quickly departed in haste.

Just then, Huang Caiying returned, carrying a whole roasted lamb.

Her face was filled with confusion. “There were so many stewards here just now. Where did they all go?”

Shen Mo chuckled. “They made mistakes and left.”

“Oh, I see…”

Huang Caiying didn’t think much of it. Beaming with excitement, she raised the roast lamb coated in cumin spices and held it out to Shen Mo.

“Elder, take a sniff—doesn’t it smell amazing?”

Her eager, expectant face resembled a child waiting for praise.

Shen Mo took a deep breath, nodding heavily. “Amazing! Caiying’s culinary skills are getting better and better. I’m in for a treat from now on.”

Huang Caiying blushed. “If Elder wants to eat, I’ll cook for you every day!”

With that, she set down the roast lamb and ran off, her face flushed.

Only then did Mei Haihe and Huang Bayi step forward, their faces filled with confusion.

“Elder, why did they all leave in such a hurry?”

The two looked utterly baffled.

The sect’s news hadn’t yet reached them, and they had no idea what had transpired in the Council Hall.

Shen Mo smiled faintly. “I just made a small contribution to the sect.”

“The elders had no choice but to show me some respect. It’s as simple as that.”

“A small contribution?” Mei Haihe and Huang Bayi exchanged glances, utterly bewildered.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel